The strata council is the elected governing body for a Canadian strata corporation (also known as a condominium corporation in some provinces). Their general role is to manage and maintain the common property and assets, and to make daily decisions on behalf of all owners.
While specific provincial legislation (like the Strata Property Act in British Columbia) governs the strata, the Standard Bylaws usually require the strata council to elect the following officers from among its members:
The four primary officer roles, elected at the first council meeting after the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and their typical duties are:
All members of the strata council who do not hold one of the officer roles listed above are often referred to as Council Members-at-Large. They participate fully in all council discussions and decision-making through their votes. They may also be delegated specific duties, such as heading up a committee (like gardening, social, or maintenance).
Regardless of the specific title, the entire strata council is responsible for:
Financial Management: Preparing and approving the annual budget, managing funds, and approving expenditures.
Maintenance & Repairs: Ensuring the proper maintenance and repair of all common property and common assets.
Bylaw Enforcement: Fairly and consistently enforcing the strata's bylaws and rules (e.g., handling noise complaints, parking violations, issuing fines).
Record Keeping: Maintaining all official documents and records of the corporation.
Administration: Handling day-to-day operations and administrative tasks.
Acting in Good Faith: Council members are legally required to act honestly, prudently, and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the strata corporation.
It is important to note that many strata corporations hire a professional Strata Manager to perform the daily administrative and financial tasks, but the ultimate decision-making authority and responsibility still rests with the elected strata council.